Industry Aims
To Make Homes
Disaster-Proof

The four hurricanes that have devastated homes and businesses in Florida -- along with significant hailstorms and wildfires elsewhere -- are fueling growth in a niche building industry: products designed to minimize damage during natural disasters.

Though many Americans may not realize it, nearly 75% of the nation's homes are in areas that experience flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and hail, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Such catastrophes have been a boon for the "disaster-proofing...